Our Insight
Special Needs Student Bullied at Cimanggis Junior High: Parents Demand School Accountability
A special needs student with the initials R (15) at Cimanggis Junior High School, Depok, experienced bullying from his friends to the point of injuring himself. R’s father, F, revealed that the bullying received by his son had occurred frequently, and the peak occurred during the Pancasila Miracle Day commemoration ceremony on October 1, 2024, where R was thrown a stone. F explained that although R is a student with special needs, he can follow the lessons well.
As a result of feeling depressed and unable to retaliate to the bullying, R broke a glass at school and sustained an injury to his left arm which resulted in him having to undergo a vein grafting operation. F regrets that the school seems to normalize bullying, considering it as a joke that is not serious. He hoped that the school would be better able to assist students with special needs and educate other students about the condition.
In addition, F also complained that the school had not visited R at the hospital after the incident. R is still being treated at Brimob Hospital Kelapa Dua, Depok. Cimanggis Police Chief, Kompol Tatang Targana, explained that his office had not received a report from R’s family and that they claimed to have resolved the matter in a family manner. However, F denied that there had been a settlement and said that he had not met with the perpetrator’s family.
Although F has no plans to take the matter to legal action, she expects the school to take responsibility for the safety of her child as well as other special needs students. She emphasized that the school should be more responsive and responsible in dealing with inclusive students. At the meeting with the school, F said there were police present, but she was unable to meet the perpetrator’s family. This news editor has contacted the school for a response, but there has been no reply until this news was published.
